During periods of excessive heat, schools will take action to ensure the health and safety of students and staff. This may include altering class schedules at schools that lack air conditioning and rescheduling or canceling sporting events and other outdoor activities. The following tips and resources can help everyone stay safe and cool when the weather is hot.
How to Stay Cool
- Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as designated cooling centers, which will be listed here during heat emergencies.
- Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
- Take a cool bath or shower.
- Minimize direct exposure to the sun.
- Stay hydrated – regularly drink water or other nonalcoholic fluids.
- Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes.
- Check on people who may need assistance related to the heat.
- Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.
Responding to Heatstroke
Symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Face flushed
- Hot and dry skin
- No perspiration
- Body temperature over 101 °F
- Chills
- Rapid pulse.
First Aid:
- Cool the person immediately! Move to shade or indoors, wrap in a cool, wet sheet, and get medical assistance.
- Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
To help provide respite from the heat, residents who live in heat-prone areas are encouraged to seek refuge in a designated cooling center. For a list of current cooling centers please call 211 or click here.
Resources for the Community
- Weather.gov — find current heat warnings and advisories for Ventura County from the National Weather Service
- VCemergency.com — provides local cooling center locations and safety information during periods of excessive heat
- HeatReadyCA.com — find safety tips and an extreme heat planning tool at this State of California website
Resources for School Operation